ellis



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Modem G. Sl. ELLIS. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

PatantedAprIZB, 1896.

Will/365565.

(No Model.) '3 'sheetssheet s.

C; S. BLLIS. v TYPE WRITING MAGHINE.

`Pamemwaixp 8,1a96.

UNTTED STATES Trios.

ATENT CHARLES S. ELLIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T() 'lil-IEELLIS- SOUTIDVICK COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

TYPE-wRl-lNe lvlACl-HNE.A

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,125, dated April28, 1896.

Application tiled March S, 1894.

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. ELLIS, of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Type-Writing Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to type-writing maehines of that class in whichthe paper-carriage, as it is advanced step by step to bring the paperinto position for successive action of the types thereon, is movedthrough varying distances to permit the use of types having varyingwidths of faces whether bearing single letters or groups of letters.

The object of 'my invention is to simplify and improve the constructionof the devices by which feed motion is given to the papercarriage; andit consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in theappended claims.

The machine herein shown, as far as the means employed for directlycontrolling` or determining the feed motion of the paper-carriage areconcerned, is like that illustrated in a prior application, Serial No.496,570, filed January 12, 1894, the present invention relating morespeciiically to m eans'by which a feedmotion-controlling device of thekind shown in said prior application may be applied to type-writingmachines 0f that class in which motion is transmitted from the keys tothe types through the medium of rock-shafts.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a rear end view of a machineembodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is adetail sectional elevation of the rear part of the machine, showing therear ends of the rock-shafts. Fig. 4 is a detail plan section showingthe parts seen in Fig. 8, taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is adetail sectional side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the devicesmore immediately concerned in controlling the feed of thepaper-carriage, taken on line 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. G is a similar sectionalelevation taken on line G G of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a plan view of theparts shown in Serial No. 502,791. (No model.)

Fig. 5. Figs. 8 and 9 are views in side elevation of two of the camswhich form part of the feed devices.

The improvements constituting my invention are herein shown as appliedto ainachine of the Smith Premier type, or those having rock-shafts fortransmitting motion from the keys to the type-bars. Asshown in the saiddrawings, A is the main frame of the machine; B, the paper-carriagethereof; b, the impression-roller mounted upon the paper-carriage, and CC some of the rock-shafts, which are provided with arms c c, connectingthem with the keys C', and the arms c c', by which they actuate thetype-bars, said rock-shafts being mounted in the frame A in the usual orany approved manner.

The type-bars and their connections are omitted from the drawings ashaving no direct connection with the present invention, it beingunderstood that the types carried by the several bars maybe of anydesired width and may embrace any desired number of letters,since theinvention contemplates a movemet of the paper-carriage by each key adistance corresponding with the space required for the type actuated bythat key.

D indicates a revolving shaft which, in the instance illustrated, isemployed as a medium through which the movement of the papercarriage iscontrolled, said carriage being actuated by the usual spring or itsequivalent.

D is a drum which is actuated by a spring (not shown) whichf constitutesthe carriageactuating spring. Attached to the said drum is a cord orchain D2, which connects the drum with the carriage in a familiarmanner.

The shaft D is, in the instance shown, arranged horizontally and atright angles with the path of the paper-carriage, the same being mountedin brackets cl d, which rise from the rear part of the frame. Said shaftD is pro vided with a gear-wheel or pinion d', which intermeshes with arack D3 on the carriage, whereby endwise motion of the carriage producesrotary motion of the said shaft.

The rotation of the shaft D under the action of the carriage-spring iscontrolled and the carriage thereby arrested after movements throughvarying desired distances upon the reaction of the several key-leversthrough the IOO medium of the following devices: E indicates a ratchetwhich is rigidly secured to the screwshaft D and which has its teeth sodirected that t-hose at its top present their abrupt faces toward theside of the machine from. which the carriage is moved by the action ofits actuating-spring, Fig. l.

E' is a second ratchet mounted to turn on the shaft and arranged adjacent to the ratchet E, the teeth of the ratchet E being directed inthe same way as those of the ratchet E. The ratchets E and E' areseparated from each other by a short space or interval, the ratchet E',in the particular construction described, being provided with centralhub or sleeve e on its side nearest the ratchet E, which hub affords amore extended bearing of the said ratchet on the shaft and at the sametime keeps the ratchets at a desired distance apart.

Between the ratchets E and E' is located a spring F so applied that itsresilient action tends to turn the ratchet E' in the same direction thatthe shaft revolves in the advance movement of the paper-carriage, saidspring being shown as a coiled spring placed about the hub e andattached to the adjacent faces of the ratchets, though it may obviouslybe of other form and otherwise applied, as found desirable in practice.The rotative movement of the ratchet E' on the shaft under the action ofthe spring F is limited by means of suitable stops, herein shown ashaving the form of stop-pins e2 c3 extending from adjacent faces of theratchets E and E' and adapted to engage each other when the ratchet E'is restrained from forward rotation and the shaft D is turned forward bymovement of the carriage. O-n the said shaft D, adjacent to the ratchetE', is a sleeve or collar G, which is held from rotation on the shaft bythe spline d2 or otherwise, but is free to slide endwise thereon. In theparticular instance shown the inner end of the spline Z2 reaches to theface of the ratchet E' and forms the shoulder by which the said ratchetis held from endwise movement on the shaft. Said sleeve G is provided atits end adjacent to the ratchet E' with a concentric parti-cylindriciiange G', adapted to enter a parti-circular slot e', formed in theratchet E' opposite said flange. The flange G' is provided on its outeredge with a series of steps or offsets g g, which in this instance areequal in number to the number of units of movement contained in thegreatest advance feed movement of which the shaft D is capable at anysingle impulse or step separated from each other by an angular distancecorresponding with the angular distance between the teeth of theratchets E E.

The several steps or shoulders g g constitute stops, either of which maybe made to limit the forward rotary movement of the ratchet E' under theaction of the spring F by contact of the end of the slot e' in saidratchet with one or another of said shoulders according to the distanceto which the shouldered flange has been thrust into the slot of theratchet by movement of the sleeve G endwise on the shaft. Said sleeveGis given variable endwise movement on the shaft for the purpose ofbringing a desired stop into action through the medium of devicesactuated by the several rock-shafts, as hereinafter described.

His an arm arranged to oscillate on a pivot 7L in a plane parallel withthe axis of rotation of the shaft D and carrying at its free end a pawlH', which is adapted to engage one or the other of the two ratchets EE'at opposite limits of the vibratory movement of the arm H. Attached tothe 'arm H is a lever H2, to which is pivoted a rod I, upon which therock-shafts, through suitable means, severally pull downward whenturned. A coiled expansion-spring I', attached to the end of lever H2and to a part of the machine-frame, tends to hold the rod I normallyelevated and the pawl H' in engagement with the loose ratchet E. In Fig.2 of the drawings the parts are shown in their normal position, with thepawl H' engaged with the loose ratchet E'. The pawl H' is pivoted to thevibrating arm H and is provided with a rigid arm h', adapted for contactwith the arm H in such manner that the pawl will be held from backwardmovement when in Contact with the abrupt face of one of theratchet-teeth, so as to positively hold the ratchet with which it isengaged from forward rotation or from turning in the direction in whichthe shaft is turned by the carriage-actuating spring, but so as topermit said pawl to yield and allow the ratchet engaged by it to turnfreely backward and thereby permit backward turning of the said shaft.The said pawl H' may be yieldingly held in workin g position either by aspring or weight, the arm 7L' in the particular construction shown beingmade sufficiently heavy to retain the pawl in such working position.

The construction of the ratchets E and E' and the pawl H', as described,enables the paper-carriage to be moved backwardly to its starting-pointby the hand of the operator, either when the end of a line is reached orat any other time, the shaft D merely turning backward as the carriageis moved without affecting in any way the action of the feeding devices.

The engaging end of the pawl H' is wider than the space between theratchets E E', so as to continue in engagement with one until it isengaged with the other, and the teeth of the ratchets E E' are of equalsize and the stops or pins e2 e2, as well as the shoulders g g of thestop-iiange G', bear such angular relation to the ratchet-teeth thatwhen the shaft and ratchets are at rest the teeth of the ratchets willbe opposite each other, so that the pawl H' may be swung laterally fromengagement with a tooth of one ratchet into engagement with the oppositetooth of the other ratchet.

Lateral movement of the pawl H' from engagement with the ratchet E' toengagement IOO IIO

with the ratchet E takes place at each depression of a key, and therengagement of the pawl with the ratchet E takes place upon the ascentof the key,and the connections for throwing the pawl are such and soarranged that the operation of each key moves the vibrating pawl Il tothe same extent.

It will be seen from the construction described that the shaft D will beheld from turning under the action of the carriage-actuating spring D byengagement of the pawl ll with either the fixed ratchet E or the looseratchet E', and that when the pawl is engaged with the loose ratchetsuch turning of the shaft will be prevented by contact of the stop-pinse2 e3 with each other.

It is also obvious that when the pawl H is engaged with the fixedratchet E `the loose ratchet will be free to turn under the action ofthe spring F so far as will be permitted by that one of the shoulders gg of the stop-flange G which may be at the time in position for limitingits rotation.

It will be further obvious that when the pawl is engaged with the looseratchet E', as seen in Fig. 5, and the stop-pins on the two ratchets arein contact with each other, if the pawl is swung laterally intoengagement with the fixed ratchet the loose ratchet will be turned ormoved forward by the action of t-he spring F until arrested by contactwith one of the shoulders g g, and that the extent of angular movementof the loose ratchet under such action of the spring will depend uponwhich one of the shoulders g g is at the time in position for contactwith said loose ratchet. Furthermore, said shoulders being separatedfrom each other by angular distances each equal to the length of4 one ofthe ratchetteeth, measured in degrees, it follows that the loose ratchetwill be turned to an angular distance of one, two, three, or more teeth,according to the angular distance from the rear end of the slot in theloose ratchet to the shoulder which is at the time in position forcontact with said rear end of the slot.

It willbe further understood that the shoulders g g of the stop bear afixed angular relation to the stop-pin c2 on the fixed ratchet, inasmuchas the sleeve G is held from turning on the shaft, so that when thesleeve is shifted to bring a certain one of the shoulders g intoposition to arrest the loose ratchet and the pawl H is then shifted fromthe loose to the fixed ratchet the loose ratchet (which has heretoforebeen held from turning with its stop-pin e3 in contact with the stop-pine2 of the fixed ratchet) will be allowed to turn so as to carry its saidstop-pin away from the stop-pin on the fixed ratchet an angular distanceof one, two, three, or more teeth, according to t-he angular distance ofthe shoulder g which is then in position to arrest the loose ratchetfrom the startingpoint of the loose ratchet, such starting-point beingthe position at which it stands when released.

It follows from the above that when the pawl H is vibrated or shiftedalternately from one ratchet to the other by successive operations ofthe keys the shaft D will be caused to revolve intermittingly or by astep-by-step movement by force of the carriage-spring acting through thecarriage, and that the extent of each movement of the shaft and of theaccompanying movement of the paper-carriage will be determined by theextent to which the loose ratchet has previously been allowed to turn onthe shaft under the action of the spring F before striking one of theshoulders of the stop G. The forward movement of the carriage and theattendant rotary movement of the shaft of course take place immediatelyafter and in consequence of the retraction of the pawl H from engagementwith the fixed ratchet, or, in other words, upon the release of the keywhich is being operated from pressure. Each time the shaft is thusturned by the carriage-actuating spring D/ the spring F, which turns theloose ratchet, must of course be put under its maximum tension, to whichend it must be of only such strength that it may be readily overcome bythe carriage-spring, while at the same time it must be strong enough topromptly turn the loose ratchet through the greatest distance the lattermay ever be required to be moved.

To now describe the mechanism herein shown for transmitting motion fromthe several rock-shafts to the rod I, by which the vibrating pawl H isoperated, and for transmittin g motion from said several rock-shafts tothe stop-sleeve G on the shaftD, these parts are constructed as follows:At the rear of the machine are located a plurality of rectangular metalframes J J, arranged vertically and at right angles to the rock-shaftsand parallel with the rear wall of the machine-frame and with eachother. The rock-shafts C C are arranged in vertical rows, and each ofthe frames J is provided with a plurality of upright bars jjj, which areseverally arranged adjacent to the several vertical rows of rock-shafts.Said frames J are severally movable horizontally in a direction at rightangles to the rockshafts, and for this purpose may be supported on themachine-frame by any suitable devices enabling them to freely move orslide. In the particular construction illustrated each frame J issupported by means of two upright arms or links J 4 J 4, which arepivoted at their ends to the machine-frame and to the frame J, so as tosustain the said frame J, while at the same time allowing reciprocatorymovement thereof by lateral oscillation of the links on the pivots j',by which they are supported on the machine-frame. The several uprightbars j j of each frame J are provided with lugs or projections j2j2,each of which is arranged in position for contact with aradiallyprojecting arm or pin c2 on one of the rockshafts (l, the saidlugs or projections j2 and the pins c2 c2 being relatively so arrangedthat `by the turning of either rock-shaft in the act IOO of printing itwill operate to move the frame J in the same direction. In theparticular machine illustrated the rock-shafts on one side of thecentral line of the machine are arranged to turn in one direction andthose on the other side of the central line in the opposite directionwhen the keys are depressed, and the pins c2 belonging to the shafts atone side of the center line extend upwardly from the shafts, while thosebelonging to the shafts at the other side of the center line extenddownwardly from the said shafts, so that in the turning of therock-shafts all of the pins will operate to move the frame J in the samedirection, this direction being toward the right hand at the side of themachine, as seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The several frames J are carried or moved laterally in a directionopposite to that in which they are moved by the action of the rock-shaftby means of a series of springs properly applied for this purpose,thoseherein shown consisting of coiled expansion springs K K, Figs. 3and 5, attached to a bar K on the machine-frame and connected with arms7a, which are secured to the lower edge of said frames.

The rod I is intended to be moved and the pawl II thereby actuated uponthe depression of either of the keys of the machine; and this result isaccomplished by intermediate connections between the several movableframes J and the rod I, by means of which said rod is actuated upon themovement of either of said frames. Such intermediate connecting deviceconsists, as shown in the drawings, of a rock-shaft L, having ahorizontal arm Z, to the end of which the rod I is connected at itslower end, and an upwardly-extending arm L', having at its upper end across-bar Z', located in position to be acted upon by all of the framesJ, said cross-bar for this purpose being, in the particular constructionshown, arranged for contact with one ot the upright bars j of eachframe. It will be clear from this construction that upon the actuationof either one of the frames J J by the turning of one of the key-leversthe rock-shaft L will be turned so as to draw downwardly upon the rod Iand thereby actuate the pawl II in the manner hereinbefore described.

To next describe the devices shown for transmitting motion from theseveral rockshafts to the stop-sleeve G on the shaft D, M is a levermounted upon a horizontal pivot m, which is secured in the machine-framebelow the level of the shaft D. Said lever M is provided with anupwardly-extending arm M', which is engaged at its upper end with onearm n of a bell-crank lever N, which is pivoted on a vertical stud n atthe top of the machine-frame and is adapted to swing in a horizontalplane, the second arm n2 of said bell crank lever being engaged with thesleeve G by means of pins as on the end of said arm,which engage anannular groove g in said sleeve. These parts are so constructed thatmovement of the lever M will be transmitted to the sleeve through themedium of the bell-crank lever N, and the latter will act to shift thesaid sleeve endwise on the shaft while leaving it free to revolve withthe shaft. Mounted on the lower end of said lever M is anantifriction-roller M2, which is adapted to be acted upon by either oneor the other of a series of rotative or otherwise-movable difterentiatedcams O O O2 O2, which are placed side by side and through the medium ofone or another of which motion may be transmitted from either rock-shaftto the sliding stopsleeve G.

The cams O O O2 O8 shown are four in number, or one less than the numberot stopshoulders g on the iian ge G of the stop-sleeve. The said camsare shown as mounted on a common pivot-stud o, which is attached to abracket o', depending from the upper frame plate of the machine in themanner shown. For giving motion to the said cams O O O2 O3 acorresponding number of bell-crank levers P P P2132 are mounted on apivot-stud p, arranged below and parallel with the pivot-stud o oi' thecams Said bell-crank levers are provided with horizontal arms p p2 p2p4,

which are severally connected with the cams by intermediate connectionsso arranged that when either of said bell-crank levers is moved the camconnected therewith will be moved or turned. The connections shown forthis purpose consist of rods Q Q/ Q2 Q2, pivoted to horizontal arms ofthe bell-crank levers and to the cams in the manner illustrated. Saidbell-crank levers are severally provided wit-h depending arms p5 p6197198, each of which is provided at its lower end with a notch engagedwith a pin js on one o'f the laterally-movable frames J.

The machine shown in the drawings is provided with four cams andbell-crank levers for actuating the same, but is provided with fiveframes J, so that four only of the frames are employed to actuate thesaid cams for a purpose hereinafter fully explained. Each of the saidframes J J J 2 J is actuated by a limited number of the rock-shafts, andfor such actuation of the frames the actuating-pins c2 c3 of therock-shafts are so located on the said rock-shafts that each rock-shaftwill operate on one only of the ive frames, it being understood that inthe drawings, Fig. 3, all of the pins c2 therein appearing do not actupon the frame J which is nearest the eye, but a part only of said pinsact on the said frame which is nearest the eye, and others of said pinsact on the frames behind or at the rear of the one which appears in saidiigure, as clearly indicated in the sectional views, Figs. 5 and 6.Inasmuch as each of the frames is separately moved in one direction bythe spring K and the said frames are separately connected with the camsO O' O2 O3, as above described, it follows that upon the depression ofeach type-key and the turning of the rock- IOO IIO

shaft connected therewith one of the frames J will be moved so as toturn or swing the cam connected therewith through -a partV of arotation, and that when the key is released the said frame and itscorresponding cam will be restored to their original positions.

The bell-crank levers and connecting-rods described obviously affordmerely one convenient means of transmitting motion to the several camsfrom the laterally-movable frames J J which are directly acted upon bythe rock-shafts, and other forms of mechanical connections may beemployed for this purpose as found convenient or desirable.

The cams O O' O2 O3 are provided with dissimilar cam-surfaces so shapedand proportioned that each cam will move or shift the sleeve G into adifferent position on the shaft and thereby bring one or another of theseveral stop-shoulders g g into position for engagement with the looseratchet E. The cams illustrated are of the kind having peripheralcam-surfaces and the roller M2 is held in contact with the cams by meansof a spring N', applied to the pivot-stud 'a' of the bell-crank lever Nand acting on said bell-crank lever in such manner as to throv7 the saidroller toward the cams. The spring thus arranged serves to move thesleeve G in one direction, while each of the cams is adapted toseparately move the sleeve in the opposite direction and serves todetermineits position when so moved.

AThe cams may be so arranged as to move the sleeve G either toward orfrom the loose ratchet when a type-key is depressed, and in any case`the sleeve may occupy, when unmoved by either cam, a position affordingthe extent of feed motion required for a type or types of a certainwidth-as, for instance, the sleeve G may stand normally in position forconta-ct of the loose ratchet with the first stop-shoulder, so as toafford only one unit of movement in the sleeve G when neither cam ismoved, and the four cams may be arranged to throw the sleeve to pointsat such unequal distances from the loose ratchet that the same willstrike either thesecond, third, fourth, or fifth stop-shoulder accordingto the extent of motion produced by that one of the cams which is moved.For this reason it is not necessary that every one of the rock-shaftsshould be connected with or give movement to one of the cams; but theseveral rockshafts which actuate the types of that width of feedproduced by the stop-shoulder which stands in posit-ion for contact withthe loose ratchet when the sleeve G is unmoved need actuate only thepawl l-I by which the shaft D is allowed to turn. Accordingly, in theconstruction shown in the drawings, a fifth frame J is provided inaddition to those which are connected with and actuate the cams, andsaid fifth frame J serves merely to move the pawl H', through the'mediumof the rock-shafts L and' I, in the manner described. It is desirable,however, that when the sleeve is arranged to stand normally with one ofits shoulders in position to give an extent of feed movement necessaryfor one set of types that a minimum extent of movement should be giventhe sleeve for determining the feed for wider or narrower types, and tosecure this result the machine herein shown is arrangedto stand normallyin position for contact of the loose ratchet with one of theintermediate stop-shoulders-namely, the second one-and one cam isarranged to advance the sleeve toward the ratchet, so that the lattershall strike the first stop-shoulder, while the other three cams areconstructed to retract t'he sleeve from the loose ratchet, so that saidratchet will be arrested by either the third, fourth, or fifthstop-shoulder, as desired. In this way the feed devices are operatedwith a minimum extent of movement of the parts. The second stop-shoulderis in this instance illustrated as being the one which aords an extentof feed common to the greatest number of characters or types. The fifthshoulder will obviously be arranged to give the greatest extent of feedand the one which is called for by the least number of types, while theintermediate shoulders will be employed for types requiring intermediatedegrees of feed movement.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate two of the cams and show clearly the manner inwhich the lever M is actuated to advance or retract the sleeve. The camO (shown in Fig. 8) is one of those Which acts to retract the sleeve,and in this case the roller M2 rests normally on the smaller part of thecam, and when the latter is turned is carried to the larger part of thecam, with the result of moving the lever in a direction to retract thesleeve from the ratchet E. The cam shown in Fig. 9 is the one whichadvances the sleeve, and this cam is so arranged that the roller M2rests on its concentric portion remote from its supporting-stud, so thatwhen a key which actuates the 0am is depressed the latter will be turnedin a direction to allow the roller to approach nearer its center ofrotation and thus give the desired advance movement to the sleeve, or amovement thereof in a direction opposite to that which is given by a camsuch as is shown in Fig. 8.

As hereinbefore stated, certain only of the rock-shafts actuate each ofthe cams O O O2 O5, and it will of course be understood that all of therock-shafts which control or actuate types requiring the same extent offeed will actuate the same cam, so that the number of cams employedinany case will be one less than the number of units of feed movementprovided for in the machine, no movement of the sleeve G on the shaftv Dbeing required for types of one certain width, as hereinbeforeexplained.

The machine shown in the accompanying drawings affords five units ofmovement, and therefore contains four cams. It follows that in saidmachine the rock-shafts will com- IOO .IIO

prise five groups, of which one group gives no movement whatever to thesleeve G, another group actuates the cam O3 to move the carriage througha distance equal to one unit of movement, and the third, fourth, andfifth groups actuate the cams O, O', and O2 to effect the'movement ofthe carriage through a distance of three, four, and five units ofmovement.

It will of course be understood that the number of stop-shoulders g onthe sleeve and the number of cams for actuating said sleeve may beincreased or decreased to provide for a greater or less number of typegroups, and it follows that a machine may be provided with typecharacters or words of any width desired, it being necessary merely toadd a caln and an actuating device therefor for each additional width oftype to be provided for.

As the paper-carriage is in this instance shown it is capable of beingelevated and lowered as any other machine of the type illustratedwithout shifting the position of the rack-bar D3.

In order to enable the carriage to be released from the control of theautomatic feed device when it is desired to move the same by hand-as isnecessary, for instance, in inserting a letter in place of one erased-lhave provided devices as follows: R is a sliding rod arranged parallelwith the rear margin of the top plate of the machine and adapted toslide thereon endwise through a guide r. The rod R is provided with anarm r', arranged at right angles thereto and extending between thevibrating arm N and the arm z/ of the pawl H, Figs. l and 5. Theopposite end of the rod R is connected with a depending arm s on arock-shaft S, which extends along the side of the machine-frame to thefront of the machine and is provided with an actuating-arm s. A spring Sis applied to the rock-shaft S, so as to hold the' arm r in position toallow the pawl Il to remain in engagement with the ratchets. By movingor turning the rockshaft S in opposition to the action of the spring thearm or will be moved in a direction to throw or tilt the pawl H', so asto throw it out of engagement with the ratchets, when the latter will befree to rotate, and the carriage may be moved by hand to the desiredpoint.

I desire to be understood that the form of either of the above-describedmechanisms or devices may be varied in practice and that either of thefeatures of the improvement set forth may be employed without the otherswithout avoidance of my invention.

It will be noted that the part which is herein termed pawl H does not inthe usual operation of the feeding devices perform the functions of apawl, as that term is commonly understood, but that in connection withthe arm H, of which it is in fact a part, said pawl H acts as a dog ordetent to control the advance movement of the ratchets, it being obviousthat the said part caller pawl H acts in the manner of a pawl only whenthe ratchets are turned backwardly in the backward movement of thepaper-carriage, the said pawl Il at such time swinging on the pivot bywhich it is connected with the arm. In case, therefore, devices areprovided enabling the carriage to be moved backward to its startingpointwithout the turning of the shaft D the said pawl need not be pivoted andwill form merely the extremity of the arm ll. ln view of these facts ldo not desire to be limited to the'use of a pawl as a means throughwhich the movement of the ratchet is controlled.

Some of the features of construction herein shown are illustrated in aprior application for patent, Serial No. 496,570, filed by me in theUnited States Patent Ofiice January 12, 1894, and said features are notherein claimed as a part of the present invention, the latter embracingdevices herein shown which are not illustrated in said priorapplication, as pointed out in the appended claims.

In a feed-controlling device embracing the general principles ofconstruction above set forth the main elements by which the feed motionis controlled are: a ratchet which is movable with the paper-carriage; asecond ratchet having motion in the same direction as but movablerelatively to the first ratchet; a spring applied to move the secondratchet relatively to the first ratchet; a vibrating or oscillatingdetent adapted to engage either ratchet in alternation, and a stop orshouldered plate which is movable in such manner that the movableratchet may engage either one of the stops or shoulders of said plate,said plate being actuated by the keys and connected with the same bydevices whereby different key-levers will move the plate varyingdistances. It is not essential to the operation of the features hereinclaim ed that the ratchets and stop-plate above referred to should bemounted on a shaft and should revolve in the operation of the machine,it being obvious that the same general mode of operation would bepresent if the ratchets were not of circular form and the stop-plates ofother than parti-cylindric form. The arrangement of the parts orelements as shown is greatly to be preferred, however, for the reasonthat the teeth of the ratchets in such construction may be made of muchlarger size than would in the absence of a revolving shaft be possible,it being obvious that, in the construction illustrated, theratchet-teeth may be made of any size desired, depending on the mannerin which the shaft is geared to the carriage. By this construction,therefore, the teeth may be made of any size desired, and theconstruction in which the ratchets are circular and have rotative motionis therefore considered to be the most desirable one for use inpractice.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with a plurality ofrockshafts which communicate motion from the keys to the types, avariable spacing mech- IOO IIO

anism embracing movable parts which are shifted to vary the extent offeed and a reciprocating part Or detent for giving a stepby-stepmovement to the paper-carriage, of a plurality of laterally-movableframes movable in planes perpendicular to the several rockshafts andeach of which is adapted to be actuated by one or more of the saidrockshafts, connections between said frames and the said movable partsby which the feed is varied, a transverse bar located in position to beacted upon by either of said frames and connections between saidtransverse bar and said reciprocatory part whereby motion is given tothe latter when either rock-shaft is moved, substantially as described.

2. The combination with rock-shafts which communicate motion from thekeys to the types and a variable feed device embracing a ratchet adaptedto be rotated by the papercarriage, a second ratchet adapted to turnrelatively to the first ratchet, an oscillating detent adapted to engageeither ratchet, a movable bar having steps or graduated stopshoulders, acam or cams applied to actuate said movable bar and means fortransmitting motion from the rock-shafts to said variable feed device,embracing laterally-movable frames adapted to slide in a planeperpendicular to the rock-shafts, connections between said frames andthe said cams, a transverse bar located in position to be acted upon byeither of said frames and connections between said bar and anoscillatory detent whereby motion is given to the latter when eitherrock-shaft is moved, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES S. ELLIS. Witnesses:

C. CLARENCE POOLE, TAYLOR E. BROWN.

